Openable and re-closable container and method for making the container having contents stored therein

ABSTRACT

A storage section  18 , a communicating section  22 , an openable section  20 , and a discharged section are provided. Regions of container walls  12   a  ( 12   b ) that form an opening  21  to be formed by tearing the openable section  20  are approchable each other, and regions of the container walls  12   a  ( 12   b ) that form the communicating section  22  are approchable each other. When the regions of the container walls  12   a  ( 12   b ) that form the opening  21  are separated from each other over the entire width thereof, the regions of the container walls  12   a  ( 12   b ) that form the communicating section  22  can be separated from each other. Seal sheets  28   a  ( 28   b ) are respectively joined to the regions of the container walls  12   a  ( 12   b ) that form the communicating section  22 . The seal sheets  28   a  ( 28   b ) are opposite each other and extend toward the storage section  18 . The seal sheets  28   a  ( 28   b ) include sealing portions  32  that adhere to each other in a condition where they are separatable from each other over the entire width of the communicating section  18  from joined positions  30  thereof to storage section  18 . When the sealing portions  32  of the seal sheets  28   a  ( 28   b ) are separated from each other and re-adhere to each other, the opening  21  can be re-closed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a container that is freely openable and re-closable, and a method for making a freely openable and re-closable container having contents preliminarily stored therein.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Hitherto, as a container for storing an enteral nutrient, an inspissated liquid diet or the like, there was employed a container made of resin and having a storage section, an openable section disposed above the storage section and communicating with the storage section, and a discharged section provided at a lower part of the container.

The conventional container is hermetically sealed in a condition where an enteral nutrient or an inspissated liquid diet is preliminarily stored within the storage section. The use of the container is carried out by tearing portions of container walls that form the openable section, to thereby form an opening, pouring a dilute liquid into the container through the formed opening, causing the dilute liquid to be mixed with the stored contents to thereby dilute the contents to the extent that the concentration of the contents becomes suitable for a patient, and thereafter administering the contents to the patient through the discharged section.

The container can be used for many applications. For example, the use of the container can be performed by causing a portion or all of any solids, liquid or the like (except an enteral nutrient or a inspissated liquid diet) to be stored within the container at the time of the use of the container, and thereafter causing the contents to be discharged out of the container.

Japanese laid-open patent publication No. Sho 57-86275 discloses a flat-shaped container that includes an openable and re-closable pouring-spout provided at an upper end portion of the container, a hanging means provided at the upper end portion of the container, a conduit provided at a lower end portion of the container, and a discharge connected to the conduit. In the container, mating plastic chuck seals or cap is provided at the pouring-spout. When the container is to be used, the pouring-spout is widely broadened, any contents are poured into the container through the opened pouring-spout and, thereafter, the pouring-spout can be re-closed. This prevents any contaminant such as dust and/or dirt from entering the container and prevents the stored contents from spilling out of the container through the pouring-spout, at the time of the use of the container.

Also, Japanese laid-open patent publication No. Hei 11-285518 and U. S. Publication No. US 2003/148004 A1 each disclose a container that has a structure similar to the structure of the above-mentioned container, and that further includes an easily peelable partition wall disposed in proximity to a side of the mating chuck seals that is adjacent to a storage section. In the container, the provision of the chuck seals prevents any contaminant such as dirt and/or dust from entering the storage section and prevents stored contents from spilling out of the container. Furthermore, the provision of the easily peelable partition wall provides a virgin-proof function. When the easily peelable partition wall is provided, the stored contents are prevented from leaking from the mating chuck seals toward the openable section of the container during the contents are stored. Therefore, the contents do not attach to the opening that is formed by tearing the portions of the container walls forming the openable section, when the container is to be used, so that a person can sanitarily handle the container without touching the contents at the time of the use of the container.

However, with such conventional containers as discussed above, it is necessary to form the openings as broadly as possible and design the openings in such a manner that the openings can be widely broadened, in order to facilitate pouring of the contents into the container through the openings at the time of the use of the containers. On the contrary, when the openings are formed more broadly, the mating chuck seals are inevitably required to be elongated. When the openings are to be re-closed, fitting of such elongated mating chuck seals together must be carried out. This takes a lot of labor. Particularly, when a lot of containers are required to be prepared in a hospital or the like, the fitting of the elongated mating chuck seals together is considerably troublesome.

Furthermore, in a home medical treatment, it is significantly hard for a patient whose eyesight fails and/or a patient whose body is disabled, to cause the elongated mating chuck seals to be completely fitted together.

If the mating chuck seals are incompletely fitted together and parts of the chuck seals remain disengaged from each other, the contents within the container will leak out of the container through the parts of the mating chuck seals that are not fitted together. Moreover, there is a possibility that the separation of the mating chuck seals will start from the disengaged parts of the mating chuck seals, whereby the chuck seals will be easily disengaged from each other, and the contents within the container will spill out of the container.

When such a container as discussed above is to be prepared, the mating chuck seals that are formed independently from a container body are respectively joined to opposite walls for the container body by welding or the like. In order to prevent the leakage of the contents after the preparation of the container and at the time of the use of the container, it is necessary to design the mating chuck seals in such a manner that the mating chuck seals extends continuously from a tightly shut peripheral portion of the container walls.

The tightly shut peripheral portion of the opposite container walls is formed by causing a continuous sheet material for the container walls to be folded or by welding opposite sheet materials for the container walls together at the peripheries thereof. The chuck seals comprise uneven fitting portions of three-dimensional shapes and are different in form from the container walls. Joining of the chuck seals to the container walls is performed by welding the chuck seals to the container walls while causing the members different in form from each other, to be pressed against each other and crushed. Therefore, it is hard to cause the chuck seals to be joined to the tightly shut peripheral portion of the container walls in such a manner that the chuck seals extend continuously from the tightly shut peripheral portion of the container walls, without producing any clearance between the chuck seals and the tightly shut peripheral portion of the container walls. Therefore, the preparing of the container takes a lot of labor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made with a view to overcoming the foregoing problems of the prior art containers.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an openable and re-closable container in which, at the time of the use of the container, an opening of the container can be widely broadened and easily re-closed, and which can be easily produced.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for making an openable and re-closable container having contents preliminarily stored therein.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an openable and re-closable container. The openable and re-closable container comprises an internal space formed by a container wall, the internal space having a storage section, an openable section, and a communicating section communicating with the openable section and the storage section, the openable section being adapted to form an opening by tearing the container wall, the communicating section being formed into a substantially flat-shape, and re-closing means provided in the communicating section for facilitating openable sealing of the communicating section to close a side of the storage section that is adjacent to the opening. The re-closing means comprises opposite seal sheets disposed between opposite wall regions of the container wall that positionally correspond to the communicating section. The opposite seal sheets comprise joined portions which are joined onto an inner surface of one of the opposite wall regions and an inner surface of the other of the opposite wall regions along the entire width of the communicating section, respectively, and sealing portions extending from the joined portions toward the storage section in unjoined conditions relative to the opposite wall regions. At least parts of the sealing portions are opposite each other so as to be adherable to each other and separable from each other substantially over the entire width of the communicating section.

The container may comprise a container wall having an internal space and shut at a periphery thereof, the internal space having a storage section, an openable section, and a communicating section communicating with the openable section and the storage section, the openable section being adapted to form an opening by tearing the container wall, the communicating section being formed into a substantially flat-shape, and re-closing means provided in the communicating section for facilitating openable sealing of the communicating section to close a side of the storage section that is adjacent to the opening, the re-closing means comprising opposite adhesive seal sheets that are disposed between opposite wall regions of the container wall that positionally correspond to the communicating section, and joined to the opposite wall regions of the container wall, respectively.

In the container, the opposite seal sheets comprise the joined portions that are joined onto the corresponding inner surfaces of the opposite wall regions forming the communicating section, along the entire width of the communicating section, and the sealing portions extending from the joined portions toward the storage section in the unjoined conditions relative to the opposite wall regions, and the at least parts of the sealing portions are opposite each other so as to be adherable to each other and separable from each other substantially over the entire width of the communicating section, so that by tearing opposite wall regions of the container wall, which form the opening, to thereby form the opening, and causing the opposite wall regions forming the opening to be separated from each other substantially over the entire width of the openable section, to thereby cause the opposite wall regions forming the communicating section to be broadly separated from each other, the opposite seal sheets can be separated from each other according to broadening of the communicating section. Therefore, by merely causing the opening to be widely broadened at the time of the use of the container, the communicating section can be widely broadened and the seal sheets can be widely separated from each other. It is possible to easily pour a dilute liquid or the like into the storage section through the widely opened opening.

Furthermore, by causing the opposite wall regions forming the communicating section to approach each other after the dilute liquid or the like is poured into the storage section, the sealing portions of the opposite seal sheets can be moved nearer to each other and adhere to each other over the entire width of the communicating section, whereby a side of the storage section that is adjacent to the openable section is re-closed by the seal sheets. Therefore, any contaminant such as dirt and/or dust hardly enters the storage section through the opening. Also, even if the upper surface of the contents is changed after the forming of the opening, the contents are prevented from scattering out of the container through the opening.

In addition, the seal sheets are planar and maintaining of the three-dimensional shapes of the chuck seals which is required in the conventional container after the joining of the chuck seals to the container wall is not required for the seal sheets according to the present invention. Therefore, the seal sheets can be easily joined onto the container wall, and the container can be easily made.

Furthermore, in a case where the container has contents preliminarily stored within the storage section, when the opening is broadened, the seal sheets which do not have such uneven fitting portions as the conventional sealing means comprising the chuck seals or the like has can be easily separated from each other, since it is unnecessary for the seal sheets to apply force to the fitting portions as in the conventional containers in order to cause the fitting portions to be disengaged from each other. Therefore, in the container according to the present invention, there is no possibility that, when the opening is broadened, any shock will be applied to the contents within the storage section, and the contents are prevented from scattering out of the container. In addition, the contents are prevented from flowing toward the openable section by the sealing portions of the seal sheets, to thereby prevent the contents from attaching onto an inner surface of the container wall which is directly under the openable section, so that a person can sanitarily broaden the opening without touching the contents.

Furthermore, when the communicating section is to be re-closed by the seal sheets to thereby bring a side of the storage section, which is adjacent to the opening, to a closed condition, the re-closing of the communicating section can be easily performed since it is unnecessary to carry out such an additional operation as the engaging operation of the fitting portions (uneven portions) that is required for the chuck seals in the conventional containers.

In the openable and re-closable container, the opposite seal sheets may be adapted to adhere to each other by causing the opposite seal sheets to be pressed against each other in a thickness direction.

In this case, by causing the opposite seal sheets to be pressed against each other from the outside of the container through the opposite wall regions forming the communicating section, the seal sheets can adhere to each other. Therefore, re-closing of the communicating section by the seal sheets can be easily performed.

In the openable and re-closable container, the sealing portions of the seal sheets may have adhesion.

Moreover, at least opposite surfaces of the sealing portions of the seal sheets may be formed of a mixture of thermoplastic resins and adhesion-exhibiting resins.

Furthermore, the thermoplastic resins may comprise polypropylene and the adhesion-adding resins may comprise stereoregular and block copolymer of polypropylene.

In these cases, the sealing portions of the opposite seal sheets have adhesion, so that adhering of the sealing portions relative to each other after new contents such as dilute liquid are stored in the storage section through the opening can be positively achieved by causing the sealing portions to come into contact with each other, whereby the side of the storage section that is adjacent to the opening can be securely closed and the contents within the storage section are positively prevented from moving towards the opening.

In the openable and re-closable container, the seal sheets may include adhesive layers forming opposite surfaces thereof, and relatively non-adhesive layers adjacent to the container wall.

In this case, the seal sheets do not adhere to the container wall that the seal sheets are adjacent, and the opposite sealing portions of the seal sheets can be easily brought to an adhering condition relative to each other due to the adhesion of the adhesive layers.

It is preferable that resin forming the adhesive layers has a melting-point of at least 100° C. or higher. Also, it is preferable that the resin forming the relatively non-adhesive layers has a melting-point of 100° C. or higher.

In the case where the resin forming the adhesive layers and/or the resin forming the relatively non-adhesive layers each have a melting point of at least 100° C. or higher, when the container is subjected to high pressure stream sterilization or retort-sterilization, the seals sheets can be prevented from melting.

The container may include a hanging means provided at a side of the openable section that is adjacent to the storage section, and a discharged means provided at a part of the container wall which is located at a lowermost position when the container is hung through the hanging means.

In this case, the container can be used while being hung through the hanging means, and a portion of the stored contents which may remain within the storage section after discharging of the contents out of the container can be reduced in quantity as less as possible, so that the container can be used economically.

In the openable and re-closable container, the hanging means may be provided at a part of the container wall which is adjacent to one of both sides of the openable section, and the discharged means may be provided at a part of the container wall which is diagonal to the hanging means.

In this case, when the container is hung through the hanging means after the forming of the opening, the container wall is loaded by its own weight. As a result, the opposite wall regions forming the communicating section hardly move in such a direction as to be separated from each other, so that the sealing portions of the opposite seal sheets are easily maintained in the adhering condition relative to each other and the side of the storage section that is adjacent to the opening is easily kept in the closed condition.

In the openable and re-closable container, the opening may have the substantially same width as that of the opening side of the communicating section.

In this case, the opening and the communicating section can be easily broadened widely, and new contents such as a dilute liquid or the like can be easily put into the storage section through the opening.

In the openable and re-closable container, the opening may have a width wider than that of the opening side of the communicating section.

In this case, the forming of the opening by tearing the openable section can be easily carried out, and the communicating section can be widely broadened through the container wall regions forming the openable section, after the forming of the opening.

In the openable and re-closable container, the opposite seal sheets may be joined at both side edges thereof to both side edges of the opposite container wall regions forming the communicating section.

In this case, any clearances will not be produced between the both edges of the sealing portions of the seal sheets and the both edges of the container wall regions forming the communicating section, so that the side of the storage section that is adjacent to the opening can be maintained in a securely closed condition by the seal sheets. Also, the container can be easily produced, to thereby enable the production cost of the container to be reduced.

In the openable and re-closable container, the opposite seal sheets may be at least partially joined to each other at ends thereof which are adjacent to the storage section.

In this case, until the opening is broadened, for example, at the time of producing of the container and safekeeping of the container, the opposite seal sheets can be easily kept in the adhering condition relative to each other.

In the openable and re-closable container, a part of the container wall that positionally corresponds to the sealing portions of the seal sheets may be provided with a visual indicator means for indicating a position of the sealing portions to be pressed against each other.

The sealing portions of the seal sheets may be provided with the visual indicator means for indicating a position of the sealing portions to be pressed against each other, which is adapted to be visually perceived through the container wall from the outside.

In this case, the position of the sealing portions of the seal sheets can be visually perceived from the outside of the container, so that when the container is to be re-closed, areas of the container wall which should be pressed against each other can be easily identified. Therefore, the re-closing of the container can be easily performed.

The container may include a chuck means for chucking the opposite wall regions to cause the sealing portions of the seal sheets to be pressed against each other from the both sides. The chuck means is removably provided on the opposite wall regions forming the communicating section and/or area of the opposite wall regions forming the storage section, which are adjacent to the communicating section.

In this case, when the chuck means is mounted on the container wall, the sealing portions of the opposite seal sheets can positively adhere to each other by chuck means, so that the storage section can be securely sealed.

The container may include means for facilitating folding of the container. The means for facilitating folding of the container are provided at parts of the container wall which are adjacent to the communicating section and/or areas of the storage section which are adjacent to the communicating section.

In this case, when the container wall is folded at the facilitating means, opposite wall regions of the folded container wall can be deformed so as to approach each other, so that the sealing portions of the seal sheets disposed between the opposite wall regions adhere to each other and a space between the seal sheets and the communicating section is closed. Therefore, the contents can hardly contact the sealing portions of the seal sheets and the side of the storage section that is adjacent to the opening can be positively sealed.

The container may include a stopper means for stopping one part of the container wall folded through the folding-facilitating means, with respect to the other of the folded container wall. The stopper means is provided at a part of the container wall.

In this case, the container wall can be kept in the folded condition.

The container may have first contents preliminarily stored within the storage section thereof. The container is adapted to be used by tearing the portion of the container wall to form the opening, putting second contents into the storage section through the formed opening and mixing the second contents with the first contents.

The first contents may comprise a concentrated liquid. The second contents may comprise a dilute liquid for diluting the concentrated liquid.

The concentrated liquid may comprise an enteral nutrient or an inspissated liquid diet.

In these cases, the opening and the communicating section are easy to be broadened widely and are easy to be re-closed, so that the container is preferably applied to the use in which putting of the second contents into the container is performed after the opening is formed.

The container may be designed in such a manner that an upper surface of a mixture comprising the first and second contents is located at a position lower than the lower ends of the seal sheets which are adjacent to the storage section, in a condition where the opening and the communicating section are located at a position above the storage section.

In this case, in a condition where the container is hung through the hanging means, the seal sheets hardly contact the contents within the storage section, the re-closing is easy to be positively achieved, and the contents are prevented from scattering out of the container and prevented from touching the person's fingers.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for forming an openable and re-closable container having contents stored therein. The method comprises the steps of preparing the container having a pouring-opening formed in a part of a periphery of the container wall that is adjacent to the storage section, causing opposite surfaces of the sealing portions of the opposite seal sheets to be brought to a protected condition where the opposite surfaces of the sealing portions do not contact the contents which are to be stored within the storage section, thereafter putting the contents into the storage section through the pouring-opening, and sealing the second opening.

The method according to the present invention may comprise the step of pressing a part of said container wall which positionally corresponds to the communicating section and/or a part of the container wall which positionally corresponds to the storage section, from both sides of the container wall by damper means, to thereby cause the sealing portions to be brought to the protected condition.

The method according to the present invention may comprise the step of causing the container wall to be folded at a part of the container wall which positionally corresponds to the communicating section and/or a part of the container wall which positionally corresponds to the storage section, to thereby cause the sealing portions to be brought to the protected condition.

In the method, the putting of the contents into the storage section is carried out in the protected condition where the opposite surfaces of the sealing portions do not contact the contents, so that the contents hardly flow between the sealing portions of the seal sheets at the time of putting of the contents into the storage section, and hardly attach to the opposite surfaces of the sealing portions and inner surfaces of the openable section. Also, when the person performs the broadening of the opening after the opening is formed by tearing the portion of the container wall, the person can sanitarily handle the container without touching the contents.

The method according to the present invention comprises the step of turning the container in such a manner that the seal sheets are located at an upper position and the storage section is located at a lower position, after the closing of the pouring-opening, and thereafter causing opposite surfaces of sealing portions to be released from the protected condition.

In this case, even if the opposite surfaces of the sealing portions of the seal sheets are released from the protected condition, the contents hardly contact the seal sheets, and the contents are positively prevented from flowing between the seal sheets and toward the openable section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals denotes the same parts throughout the Figures and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an openable and re-closable container according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the container;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of seal sheets employed in the container;

FIG. 4 a is a schematic view that is of assistance in explaining a condition where the seal sheets completely adhere to each other;

FIG. 4 b is a schematic view that is of assistance in explaining a state where the seal sheets are partially peeled from each other at end portions thereof;

FIG. 4 c is a schematic view that is of assistance in explaining a condition that the peeling of the seal sheets progresses;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view that is of assistance in explaining a method for making the openable and re-closable container;

FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of an openable and re-closable container according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of an openable and re-closable container according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of an openable and re-closable container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of an openable and re-closable container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic enlarged sectional view of a communicating section of an openable and re-closable container according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of an openable and re-closable container according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic front view of an openable and re-closable container according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of an openable and re-closable container according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view of the openable and re-closable container according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view that is of assistance in explaining a second embodiment of the openable and re-closable container making method; and

FIG. 16 is a schematic view that is of assistance in explaining a third embodiment of the openable and re-closable container making method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments according to the present invention will be discussed hereinafter.

First Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated an openable and re-closable container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a reference numeral 10 denotes the openable and re-closable container that has a substantially quadrilateral shape as viewed from the front side and is flat. The openable and re-closable container 10 includes a pair of container walls 12 a, 12 b that are opposite each other and formed of thermoplastic resin. The container walls 12 a, 12 b are liquid-tightly welded together at peripheries thereof to form a welded portion 14 around the periphery of the container, whereby an internal space 16 is defined within the container 10.

The internal space 16 is divided into three section, i.e., a storage section 18 for the contents to be stored therein, an openable section 20 disposed above the storage section 18 and adapted to form an opening 21 by tearing the container walls 12 a, 12 b along a virtual line L shown in FIG. 1, and a communicating section 22 occupying a space between the storage section 18 and the openable section 20 and communicating with the storage section 18 and the openable section 20. The container walls 12 a, 12 b have first opposite wall regions forming the openable section 20, second opposite wall regions forming the communicating section 22, and third opposite wall regions forming the storage section 18.

The openable section 20 has the substantially same width as that of the opening side of the communicating section 22. Therefore, the opening 21 that is to be formed by tearing the container walls 12 a, 12 b along the virtual line L has the substantially same width as that of the opening side of the communicating section 22. The storage section 18 has a width wider than those of the openable section 20 and communicating section 22. Throughout this application, unless otherwise indicated, the term “width” means a size measured in a crosswise direction of a sheet of FIG. 1.

In the illustrated example, a concentrated liquid 34 comprising an enteral nutrient or inspissated liquid diet is preliminarily stored within the storage section 18 as the contents, and the openable section 20 is hermetically sealed in a condition where the concentrated liquid 34 is stored within the storage section 18.

At a part of the container that is upper than the storage section 18 and adjacent to an edge of one of both sides of the openable section 20, namely, in the illustrated embodiment, at a region of the welded portion 14 that positionally corresponds to an upper corner of the container 10, there is provided a hanging means 24 comprising a through-hole. Furthermore, at a region of the welded portion 14 that is adjacent to an edge of the other of the both sides of the openable section 20 that is remote from the side at which the hanging means 24 is provided, there is formed a notch 25 for facilitating forming of the opening 21 by tearing the container walls 12 a, 12 b.

At a lower location of the openable and re-closable container 10 that is diagonal to the hanging means 24, there is provided a discharged means 26 for allowing the storage section 18 to communicate with the exterior of the container 10. In a state where the openable and re-closable container 10 is hung through the hanging means 24, the discharged means 26 is located at the lowermost position of the storage section 18. Although is not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a closing member for closing the discharged means 26, e.g., a cap or a sealing sheet, that is adapted to be removed or peeled from the discharged means 26 at the time of the use of the container, is provided at the discharged means 26.

The container walls 12 a, 12 b of the openable and re-closable container 10 are formed of thermoplastic resin that is flexible to such an extent that the first, second and third opposite regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b are separable from each other and approachable each other. The material for the container walls 12 a, 12 b may be suitably selected for various applications. For example, in the event that the contents are an enteral nutrient or food such as a inspissated liquid diet, as the material for the container walls 12 a, 12 b, there may be employed transparent or translucent retort-sterilizable resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride, polyester, or nylon. As sheet materials for the container walls, there may be employed laminated sheet materials in which sheet materials formed of any of the above-mentioned materials are laminated to each other, or laminated barrier sheet materials in which surface layers or interlayers are formed from silica-deposited films, alumina-deposited films, polyvinyl alcohol films or the like. As the thermoplastic resin for the container walls, it preferably has a melting point of at least 100° C. or higher in order that the container walls 12 a, 12 b are not fused even if the container is subjected to retort-sterilization or high pressure stream sterilization.

The container walls 12 a, 12 b are welded together at the peripheral welded portion 14 in a face-to-face relation with each other, so that when a person causes the container walls 12 a, 12 b to be separated from each other by fingers and releases the container walls 12 a, 12 b from the fingers, they can approach each other due to a weak restoring force which will be produced because of the physical property of the material for the container walls 12 a, 12 b, the shape of the welded portion 14 or the like.

Between the second opposite wall regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b which form the communicating section 22 of the openable and re-closable container 10, there are arranged a pair of seal sheets which are opposite each other. The seal sheets 28 a, 28 b serve as means to openably seal the communication section 22 and serves to isolate the storage section 18 from the openable section 20 including the opening 21, when opposite surfaces of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b adhere to each other. The seal sheets 28 aand 28 b are welded at upper parts or joined portions 30 thereof to one of the second opposite wall regions of the communicating section 22 and the other of the second opposite wall regions, respectively, along the entire width of the second opposite wall regions of the communicating section 22. Furthermore, the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are welded together with regions of the welded portion 14 that are adjacent to the both sides of the communicating section 22, with edges of both sides of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b being interposed between peripheral regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b when the peripheral regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b are welded together to form the peripheral welded portion 14.

The seal sheets 28 a, 28 b have sealing portions 32 which extend toward the storage section 18 from the joined portions 30 and are not welded to the container walls 12 a, 12 b. The seal sheets 28 a, 28 b separably adhere to each other. The seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are joined at the joined portions 30 thereof to the second opposite wall regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b, so that when the second opposite wall regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b which form the communicating section 22 are separated from each other, the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are also separated from each other according to the separation of the second opposite wall regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b. Furthermore, when the second opposite wall regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b that form the communicating section 22 approach each other, the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b also approach each other according to the approaching of the second opposite wall regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b whereby the opposite surfaces of the sealing portions 32 come into surface contact with each other.

The dimensions of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b may be suitably selected. However, in the case where the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are disposed along the entire width of the communicating section 22, the ratio of the total width of the communicating section 22 to a vertical length of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b is preferably about 2:1-5:1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b may comprise adhesive layers 29 a having opposite surfaces, and relatively non-adhesive base layers 29 b that are laminated onto the adhesive layers 29 a and adjacent to the second opposite wall regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b that form the communicating section 22.

The adhesive layers 29 a may be made by preparing a mixture of thermoplastic resins and adhesion-adding resins and forming the mixture into sheet-like forms. As the thermoplastic resin, there may be employed polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or the like. As the adhesion-adding resin, there may be employed hydrogenated SBR, SEBC, CEBC, low-molecular weight polypropylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene or the like, or aliphatic cyclic hydrocarbon resin which is a suitable adhesion-adding substance.

It is particularly preferable that polypropylene is employed as the thermoplastic resin, and stereoregular and block-copolymer of polypropylene is employed as the adhesion-adding resin.

A process to add adhesion to polypropylene is to, for example, copolymerize polypropylene with α-olefin such as ethylene or 1-butene, and reducing crystallinity to thereby fluidize a resin surface. However, the adhesion-adding resin prepared with such a process has a crystallization temperature that tends to be lower. Therefore, where the adhesive layers 29 a are prepared by employing polypropylene as the thermoplastic resin and causing polypropylene to be mixed with such an adhesion-adding resin, the adhesive layers 29 a of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b opposite each other may be unseparatable from each other due to blocking occurring between the adhesive layers 29 a after the container is subjected to high pressure steam sterilization or retort-sterilization.

Incidentally, stereoregular and block copolymer of polypropylene that is prepared, for example, by copolymerize isotactic polypropylene with atactic polypropylene has a crystallization temperature that hardly lowers. Therefore, where the adhesive layers 29 a are prepared by employing such stereoregular and block copolymer of polypropylene as the adhesion-adding resin, blocking hardly occurs between the adhesive layers 29 a and the adhesion of the adhesive layers 29 a can be maintained after the container is subjected to high pressure steam sterilization or retort-sterilization.

Incidentally, as one example of stereoregular and block copolymer of polypropylene, copolymer of isotactic polypropylene and atactic polypropylene is discussed above. However, such stereoregular and block copolymer of polypropylene may contain other elements.

The relatively non-adhesive base layers 29 b may be formed of such thermoplastic resin as similar to the thermoplastic resin for the adhesive layers 29 a, with which the adhesion-adding resin is not mixed. Preferably, as the thermoplastic resin for the relatively non-adhesive base layers 29 b, there is employed the same thermoplastic resin as the container walls 12 a, 12 b are formed of.

It is preferable that at least one of the thermoplastic resin and adhesion-adding resin forming the adhesive layers 29 a of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b and the thermoplastic resin forming the non-adhesive layers 29 b of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b has a melting point of at least 100° C. or higher and preferably both of them have a melting point of at least 100° C. or higher, in order that the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b do not fuse even if the container is subjected to high pressure steam sterilization or retort-sterilization.

The adhesion of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b to each other may be exhibited to the extent that, when the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are pressed against each other by hand at a pressing force of about 0.1-2 Kg/cm² in a condition where the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are brought into contact with each other, the seal sheets can adhere to each other, and even after the pressing force is released, the adhering condition of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b can be maintained.

In a state where the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b completely adhere to each other due to the adhesion of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b as shown in FIG. 4 a, when the container walls 12 a, 12 b are manually separated from each other, regions of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b which are adjacent to the joined portions 30 are peeled or separated from each other as shown in FIG. 4 b. As the container walls 12 a, 12 b are further manually separated from each other, peeling of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b progresses from the regions of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b toward the storage section along a boundary 33 between adhering areas of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b and peeling areas of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b as shown in FIG. 4 c.

In the illustrated example, a color pigment may be mixed with the material for one or both of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b, whereby the seal sheet 28 a and/or 28 b is colored and the colored seal sheet 28 a and/or 28 b also serves as a visual indicator means to allow the person to visually perceive the position of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b through the container walls 12 a, 12 b from the outside of the container 10.

In order to use the openable and re-closable container 10 within which a concentrated liquid 34 such as an enteral nutrient or inspissated liquid diet is preliminarily contained, tearing of the regions of the first opposite wall regions forming the openable section 20 is initially carried out along the virtual line L while starting from the notch 25. The first opposite wall regions forming the openable section 20 are opposite each other in an unjoined condition, so that the opening 21 is easily formed by tearing the regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b.

After forming of the opening 21, the person inserts his fingers between the first opposite wall regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b through the opening 21, causes the first opposite wall regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b to be separated from each other and opens the opening 21 along the entire width of the opening 21, whereby the second opposite wall regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b which form the communicating section 22 are separated from each other according the separation of the first opposite wall regions, the communicating section 22 is widely broadened, and the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b joined to the second opposite wall regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b are synchronously separated from each other according to the separation of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b from each other.

The openable and re-closable container 10 of the present invention does not have any fitting means comprising uneven portions, such chuck seals as employed in the conventional container, so that any force to cause the uneven portions to be disengaged from each other is not required in order to broaden the opening 21. Therefore, when the opening 21 is broadened, any shock will not be applied to the concentrated liquid 34 within the storage section 18 and it is possible to prevent the concentrated liquid 34 from scattering out of the container 10. Also, the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b can prevent the concentrated liquid 34 within the storage section 18 from flowing towards the openable section 20, so that the concentrated liquid does not attach onto inner surfaces of the first opposite wall regions forming the openable section 20, and the person can sanitarily broaden the opening 21 without touching the concentrated liquid 34.

Incidentally, when the amount of the concentrated liquid 34 is previously controlled in such a manner that the liquid level of the concentrated liquid 34 is located at a position below lower ends of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b in a condition where the openable and re-closable container 10 is hung through the hanging means 24, even if the opening 21 is broadened in the hung condition of the openable and re-closable container 10, the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b do not contact the concentrated liquid 34 within the storage section 18. This also prevents the scattering of the concentrated liquid 34 and the attaching of the concentrated liquid 34 to the person's fingers.

In a condition where the opening 21 and the communicating section 22 are widely broadened, pouring of a dilute liquid such as water into the storage section 18 through the opening 21 is carried out, to thereby dilute the concentrated liquid 34 which is preliminarily stored within the storage section 18. The concentration of the concentrated liquid 34 can be controlled by controlling the amount of the dilute liquid so as to be suitable for the patient.

When the opening 21 is released from the broadened state after the dilute liquid is stored within the storage section 18, the first and second opposite wall regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b which form the openable section 20 and the communicating section 22 are approached each other, and the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b which are opposite each other are also approached each other, and brought into contact with each other, whereby the sealing portions 32 adhere to each other. As a result, the communicating section 22 is openably closed and the storage section 18 is isolated from the opening 21.

At this time, when opposite areas of the container walls 12 a, 12 b that positionally correspond to the colored seal sheet 28 a and/or 28 b also serving as the visual indicator means are pressed against each other over the entire width of the communicating section 22 from the outside of the container 10 by fingers, the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b can positively adhere to each other and the communicating section 22 can be openably closed. The openable closing of the communicating section 22 may be performed by interposing one side of the communicating section 22 by the person's fingers, pressing the communicating section 22 and causing the fingers to be slid on the communicating section 22 toward the other side of the communicating section 22 in the crosswise direction while still pressing the communicating section 22.

After the concentrated liquid 34 is diluted to a suitable concentration by the dilute liquid and the communicating section 22 is openably closed, whereby a finished container is prepared, the openable and re-closable container 10 is hung through the hanging means 24. In the hung condition of the container 10, the liquid level of the contents within the storage section 18 is located below the lower ends of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b. Therefore, the contents do not attach to the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b.

In the hung condition of the container 10, the use of the container 10 is completed by opening the discharged means 26, causing the contents to be discharged out of the container 10 through the opened discharged means 26, and supplying the contents with the patient through a tube or the like (not shown) which is connected to the discharged means 26 at the time of discharging of the contents.

In the openable and re-closable container constructed as discussed above, the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b which are opposite each other and extend towards the storage section 18 are joined at the joined portions 30 thereof to the inner surface of the one of the second opposite wall regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b and the inner surface of the other of the second opposite wall regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b, respectively, along the entire width of the communicating section 22, and include the sealing portions 32 which extend from the joined portions 30 toward the storage section 18 and separably adhere to each other along the substantially entire width of the communicating section 22. Therefore, the separating of the opposite seal sheets 28 a, 28 b together with the second opposite wall regions of the communicating section 22 can be performed by causing the first opposite wall regions to be separated from each other over the entire width of the first opposite wall regions after the tearing the areas of the first opposite wall regions of the openable section 20 along the virtual line L, to thereby cause the communicating section 22 to be broadened.

Thus, by simply causing the opening 21 to widely broadened at the time of the use of the container, the communicating section 22 can be widely broadened and the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b can be separated from each other, so that the dilute liquid can be easily stored within the storage section 18 through the widely broadened opening 21.

Furthermore, by causing the first and second opposite wall regions forming the openable section 20 and the communicating section 22 to approach each other after the storing of the dilute liquid, at least parts of the sealing portions 32 of the opposite seal sheets 28 a, 28 b opposite each other over the entire width of the communicating section adhere to each other over the entire width of the sealing portions 32, so that the communicating section 22 can be openably re-closed, to thereby cause the storage section 18 to be isolated from the opening 21. Therefore, any contaminant such as dirt and/or dust hardly enters the storage section 18 through the opening 21. Furthermore, even if the liquid level of the stored liquid is changed due to any cause after the forming of the opening 21, the stored liquid can be prevented from scattering out of the container 10 through the opening 21.

In addition, the hanging means 24 is provided at the region of the container 10 which is above the storage section 18 and adjacent to the side of the openable section 20, so that when the container 10 is hung through the hanging means 24 after the forming of the opening 21, the container 10 is loaded by its own weight. As a result, the container walls 12 a, 12 b hardly move in such a direction to be away from each other, so that the sealing portions 32 of the opposite seal sheets 28 a, 28 b which are opposite each other are easily maintained in the adhering condition relative to each other and the side of the communicating section 22 that is adjacent to the openable section 20 is easily kept in the openably sealed condition, whereby the storage section 18 is maintained in an isolated condition from the opening 21.

Furthermore, the hanging means 24 and the discharged means 26 are disposed at the diagonal positions relative to each other, and the discharged means 26 is located at the lowermost edge of the storage section 18 in the hung condition of the container 10, so that the stored liquid within the storage section 18 is easily discharged out of the storage section 18 through the discharged means 26 in the condition where the container 10 is hung, and a portion of the stored liquid which may remain within the storage section 18 after the discharging of the liquid can be reduced in quantity as less as possible.

Furthermore, the opening 21 and the at least side of the communicating section 22 that is close to the opening 21 have the substantially same width, so that both of them can be widely broadened to a substantially same size and any new substance such as the dilute liquid is easily stored within the storage section 18 through the opening 21.

In addition, the sealing portions 32 of the opposite seal sheets 28 a, 28 b have adhesion to each other, so that by causing the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b to contact each other after any new substance such as the dilute liquid is stored within the storage section 18, the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b can positively adhere to each other, whereby the side of the communicating section 22 that is adjacent to the opening 21 can be easily re-closed. Therefore, for example, even if the container 10 is laid with the opening 21 thereof facing sideways, the storage contents can be prevented from flowing out of the opening 21, so that it is possible to treat the container 10 significantly easy after the forming of the opening 21.

Furthermore, when the communicating section 22 is to be re-closed in order to cause the storage section 18 to be isolated from the opening 21, the isolating of the storage section 18 from the opening 21 can be easily carried out, since it is unnecessary to cause the fitting portions (uneven portions) such as the chuck seal means to be engaged with each other as in the conventional container.

In addition, the edge areas of the both sides of the opposite seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are joined to the edge regions of the both sides of the second opposite wall regions forming the communicating section 22, so that any clearances will not be produced between the edge areas of the both sides of the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b and the edge areas of the both sides of the second opposite wall regions forming the communicating section 22. Therefore, the communicating section 22 can be maintained in a securely re-closed condition by the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b. Moreover, the container 10 can be easily produced, to thereby enable the production cost of the container to be reduced.

Incidentally, the edges of the both sides of the opposite seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are not necessarily joined to the edges of the both sides of the second opposite wall regions forming the communicating section 22, and may be independent of the edges of the both sides of the second opposite wall regions forming the communicating section 22.

Furthermore, the material for the seal sheet 28 a and/or 28 b is mixed with the color pigment and colored with the color pigment, whereby the colored seal sheet 28 a and/or 28 b also serves as the visual indicator means and can be visually perceived through the container walls 12 a, 12 b from the outside of the container 10. Therefore, the position of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b can be visually perceived from the outside of the container and when the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are to be separably joined to each other by causing the second wall regions forming the communicating section 22 to be pressed against each other from the outside of the container, areas of the second wall regions forming the communicating section 22 that should be pressed against each other can be easily identified. Thus, the separable adhering of the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b can be easily performed.

Incidentally, each of the opposite seal sheets 28 a, 28 b may comprise a single layer having the adhesive layer 29 a only.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a method for preparing the openable and re-closable container that is constructed as described above will be discussed hereinafter.

In order to produce the openable and re-closable container, an empty container 10 a that is formed with a pouring-opening 40 at an edge region adjacent to an edge region of the empty container 10 a at which the discharged means 26 is to be provided is initially prepared. As methods for preparing the empty openable and re-closable container according to the present invention, there may be employed various methods that can be suitably selected. For example, such a method as discussed hereinafter can be employed.

Initially, first sheet materials are prepared from the above-mentioned material and formed into a predetermined shape for the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b. Also, second sheet materials having the same size as that of the container walls 12 a, 12 b, or a size more than that of the container walls 12 a, 12 b are made of the above-mentioned material for the container walls 12 a, 12 b.

While the process for preparing the first and second sheet materials can be suitably selected, preparing of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b is preferably performed by fusing edge regions of the first sheet materials except regions of the first sheet materials that correspond to the joined portions 30, in a condition where the first sheet materials are opposite each other. When the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are prepared in such a manner as described above, the regions of the first sheet materials that correspond to the joined portions 30 remain unjoined to each other and the edge regions of the first sheet materials except the regions of the first sheet materials that correspond to the joined portions 30 are brought to a linearly welded condition.

The preparing of the empty container 10 a is carried out by forming the second sheet materials into a predetermined shape, welding the regions of the first sheet materials that correspond to the joined portions 30, to regions of the second sheet materials that correspond to the second opposite wall regions forming the communicating section 22, in a condition where any suitable weld-preventing means such as a metallic plate is interposed between the regions of the first sheet materials that correspond to the joined portions 30, and thereafter welding peripheries of the second sheet materials together in a condition where the discharged means 26 is interposed between the edge regions of the second sheet materials that correspond to the lower part of the container. When the welding of the peripheries of the second sheet materials is performed, the pouring-opening 40 is formed by causing edge regions of the second sheet materials that are adjacent to the edge regions of the second sheet materials between which the discharged means 26 is interposed, to remain unwelded. At this time, the hanging means 24 comprising the through-hole, and the notch 25 are formed at an upper part of the empty container 10 a.

When the concentrated liquid 34 is to be stored in the empty container 10 a prepared in such a manner as discussed above, the second opposite wall regions forming the communicating section 22, and the side of the third opposite wall regions of the storage section 18 that is close to the communicating section 22, are initially pressed against each other from the both sides thereof over the entire width of the container by any suitable damper means 42 as shown in FIG. 5, to thereby cause opposite surfaces of the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b to adhere to each other and bring the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b to a protected condition.

Thereafter, pouring of the concentrated liquid 34 into the container 10 a is carried out utilizing any suitable filler 44 for supplying the concentrated liquid 34 that has a nozzle 44 a. More particularly, the pouring of the concentrated liquid 34 into the container 10 a is carried out by inserting the nozzle 44 a of the filler 44 into the pouring-opening 40 and pouring the concentrated liquid 34 into the storage section 18 from the nozzle 44 a, in a condition where the container 10 a is turned upside down in such a manner that the pouring-opening 40 is located at an upper position and the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are located at a lower position as shown in FIG. 5. At this time, the concentrated liquid 34 poured into the storage section 18 does not contact the opposite surfaces of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b that are brought to the protected condition by the damper means 42.

After completing the pouring of the concentrated liquid 34 into the storage section 18, sealing of the pouring-opening 40 is carried out by welding. Thus, a finished container 10 having the concentrated liquid 34 stored therein as the contents is produced. Thereafter, the finished container 10 is turned in such a manner that the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are located at the upper position and the discharged means 26 is located at the lower position, and the container 10 is then released from the damper means 42, whereby the opposite surfaces of the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are released from the protected condition.

Incidentally, the preparing of the container 10 in such a manner as described above is preferably carried out without causing air to remain in the container 10 a as less as possible.

In the method for making the container 10, the first sheet materials for the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b that are thin and serve as means to communicatably isolate the storage section 18 from the openable section 20 are arranged between the second sheet materials and merely joined to the regions of the second sheet materials for the container walls 12 a, 12 b that correspond to the second opposite wall regions of the communicating section 22. Therefore, according to the method of the present invention, the joining of the first sheet materials for the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b to the second sheet materials for the container walls 12 a, 12 b can be easily carried out, as compared to a method for preparing the conventional container, in which attaching of the chuck seals to the container is carried out while causing the three-dimensional shapes of the chuck seals to be maintained.

Furthermore, the storing of the concentrated liquid 34 in the empty container 10 a that has the pouring-opening 40 formed at the edge regions of the second sheet materials that are adjacent to the edge regions of the second sheet materials between which the discharged means 26 is interposed, is carried out in the condition where the whole surfaces of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are pressed against each other through the second wall regions of the communicating section 22 from the both sides of the second opposite wall regions by the damper means 42 whereby the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are brought to the protected condition, and the container 10 a is turned upside down. Therefore, the pouring of the concentrated liquid 34 into the storage section 18 can be carried out in the condition where the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b adhere to each other.

The pouring of the concentrated liquid 34 into the storage section 18 is performed in such a condition as described above, so that the concentrated liquid 34 hardly flows between the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b and toward the openable section 20 at the time of pouring the concentrated liquid into the container, and the concentrated liquid 34 hardly attach to inner surfaces of the first opposite wall regions of the openable section 20. Therefore, when the person forms the opening 21 by tearing the regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b along the virtual line L, and is to widely broaden the opening 21 by the fingers, the person can sanitarily handle the container 10 without touching the concentrated liquid 34.

Furthermore, after the pouring of the concentrated liquid 34 into the storage section 18 is completed and the sealing of the pouring-opening 40 is performed, turning of the container is carried out in such a manner that the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are located at the upper position and the discharged means 26 is located at the lower position, and thereafter the releasing of the container from the damper means 42 is performed. Therefore, the concentrated liquid can be positively prevented from flowing between the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b and towards the openable section 20.

In this case, for example, if the container 10 is hung through the hanging means 24 in such a manner that the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are located at the upper position and the discharged means 26 is located at the lower position, during transporting and preserving of the container 10 after the producing of the finished container, the concentrated liquid 34 does not attach to the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b, so that the hanging of the container is preferable. Also, in the case where the container is hung, when the opening 21 is to be formed, the openable section 20 is devoid of the concentrated liquid 34, so that the person can sanitarily form the opening 21 and pour the dilute liquid into the storage section 18 without touching the concentrated liquid 34.

Furthermore, the adhering of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b to each other is carried out by pressing the second opposite wall regions of the communicating section 22 against each other from the both sides of the container walls 12 a, 12 b utilizing the damper means 42, so that the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b can easily and positively adhere to each other.

Incidentally, while the embodiment of the present invention has been described in connection with an openable and re-closable container which has the contents preliminarily stored therein, a container according to the present invention is not limited to such a container. The invention may be applied to an empty container in which the contents are not preliminarily stored. More particularly, using of the empty container 10 a may be performed by tearing the parts of the first opposite wall regions of the openable section 20 along the virtual line L, to thereby form the opening 21, causing the contents to be stored in the storage section 18 through the opening 21 while manually causing the first and second opposite wall regions forming the openable section 20 and communicating section 22 to be separated from each other to thereby cause the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b to be separated from each other, thereafter releasing the first and second opposite wall regions from the person's fingers to thereby allow the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b to approach each other due to the restoring force thereof and to thereby allow the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b to adhere to each other, and discharging the contents out of the container through the discharged means 26.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a container body is formed by causing two resinous sheet materials to be welded together along the peripheries thereof. However, the container body may be formed by using an inflation resinous sheet material of a cylindrical shape or a blow-molded product and merely causing their parts to be welded.

Furthermore, while the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are formed of adhesive material in the above-mentioned embodiment, the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b may be formed of any material that is non-adhesive. Even in a container having such seal sheets as formed of non-adhesive material, the seal sheets can openably close the regions of the second wall regions forming the communicating section 22 which is adjacent to the openable section 20, thereby to isolate the storage section 18 from the opening 21, can prevent any contaminant such as dirt and/or dust from entering the storage section 18 and can prevent the contents within the storage section 18 from spilling out of the container.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the seal sheet 28 a and/or 28 b is colored to thereby serve as the visual indicator means. However, the visual indicator means may be provided, for example, by printing or depositing any character, mark, sign, symbol, diagram, figure or the like on the seal sheet 28 a and/or 28 b. Also, the container walls 12 a, 12 b and the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b may be made of materials that are different from each other in light transmittance. In this case, the seal sheets can be visually perceived from the exterior of the container with resort to the difference in light transmittance between the material for the container walls 12 a, 12 b and the material for the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b. Incidentally, the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b may be made of resinous material that does not contain a color pigment and may have no visual indicator means.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a fluid enteral nutrient or an inspissated liquid diet and a dilute liquid are stored within the storage section 18 as the contents. However, any liquid other than them may be stored within the storage section 18. Also, any solid or powder may be stored within the storage section 18.

Second Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated an openable and re-closable container according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment except that lower ends of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are spot-welded together at, for example, three points 60 thereof along a crosswise direction. The three spot-welded points 60 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are formed so as to easily allow the separation of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b from each other when the first opposite wall regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b that form the opening 21 are to be separated from each other whereby the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are to be separated from each other.

The seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are welded together at the three points 60 thereof by the spot-welding, so that until the opening 21 is broadened, for example, at the time of storing of the concentrated liquid 34 and producing of the container, or during the safekeeping of the container, the sealing portion 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are positively maintained in the adhering condition.

Third Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 7, there is illustrated an openable and re-closable container according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment except that the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are welded together at lower ends thereof to form a welded portion 70 that continuously extends in a crosswise direction of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b. The welded portion 70 can be formed, for example, by causing the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b to be overlapped one over the other and fusing the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b. The welded portion 70 is formed so as to allow the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b to be easily separated from each other when the first opposite wall regions of the container walls 12 a, 12 b that form the opening 21 is to be separated from each other, whereby the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are to be separated from each other.

The welded portion 70 can cause the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b to be positively maintained in the adhering condition at the time of the preparing of the container or during the safekeeping of the container.

Fourth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated an openable and re-closable container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment except that the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are formed of transparent resin with which a color pigment is not mixed, and visual indicator means 48 for indicating the position of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b is provided at one or both of the second opposite wall regions forming the communicating section 22.

In this embodiment, the position of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b can also be visually perceived from the outside of the container, so that when the isolating of the storage section 18 from the opening 21 is to be carried out, the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b can positively adhere to each other by causing the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b to be pressed against each other from the outside of the container.

Fifth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 9, there is illustrated an openable and re-closable container according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment except that the container of FIG. 9 includes chuck means 50 for chucking the second opposite wall regions forming the communicating section 22 from the both sides, and causing the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b to forcedly adhere to each other. The chuck means 50 has a substantially U-shape as viewed from the plane, has an elastic property, and has an opening that substantially corresponds in size to the sum of the thicknesses of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b and thicknesses of the second opposite wall regions forming the communicating section 22.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b can be always pressed against each other by the chuck means 50, so that the contents within the storage section 18 can be easily prevented from flowing toward the openable section 22 and the opening 21.

Incidentally, the shape and size of the chuck means 50 can be suitably selected and may be designed so as to be capable of chucking the entire second and third opposite wall regions forming the communicating section 22 and storage section 18, or parts of them. Furthermore, only the third opposite wall regions forming the storage section 18 may be liquid-tightly chuck by the chuck means 50 in such a manner that the contents within the storage section 18 does not contact the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b.

Sixth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 10, there is illustrated an openable and re-closable container according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment except that the thicknesses of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b of this embodiment are increased as compared to those of the seal sheets of the first embodiment.

In the case where the thicknesses of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are increased, a space 51 between the first opposite wall regions forming the opening 21 becomes wider. Therefore, when the opening 21 is to be broadened, the person can easily insert the person's' finger into the space 51 and easily pick one of the opposite container walls 12 a, 12 b. Thus, broadening of the opening 21 can be easily performed, so that the container can be easily handled.

Incidentally, while each of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b comprises a single layer structure in the embodiment of FIG. 10, it may have a laminated structure that comprises an adhesive layer and a relatively row-adhesive layer.

Seventh Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 11, there is illustrated an openable and re-closable container according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment except that the width of the communicating section 22 is gradually decreased from the side of the communicating section 22 that is adjacent to the opening 21, to the side of the communicating section 22 that is adjacent to the storage section 18.

When the side of the communicating section 22 that is adjacent to the storage section 18 is decreased in width, the contents can hardly flow towards the openable section 20 and the opening 21 from the storage section 18.

Eighth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 12, there is illustrated an openable and re-closable container according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment except that the openable section 20 has a width wider than a width which the side of the communicating section 22 that is adjacent to the openable section 20 has, the width of the communicating section 22 is gradually reduced from the side thereof adjacent to the storage section 18 to the side thereof adjacent to the openable section 20, two notches 25 for facilitating forming of the opening 21 by tearing the areas of the first opposite wall regions of the openable section 20 are formed in areas of the both sides of the welded portion 14 that are adjacent to the both sides of the openable section 20, and any hanging means and any discharged means are not provided.

In this embodiment, the openable section 20 is designed so as to have a wide width, so that the opening 21 is easily formed, and when widely broadening of the communicating section 22 is to be carried out while picking the first opposite wall regions forming the openable section 20, it is possible to easily cause the communicating section 22 to be widely broadened.

Ninth Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, there is illustrated an openable and re-closable container according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

The container 10 of this embodiment is designed so as to be twofoldable and flexible, and includes means 52 for facilitating folding of the container 10. The folding-facilitating means 52 comprises recessed portions which are formed at regions of the both sides of the welded portions 14 that are adjacent to the side of the storage section 18 which is adjacent to the communicating section 22, so as to be recessed into the storage section 18. Each of the recessed portions has a depth shallower than the width of the welded portion 14.

Incidentally, the folding-facilitating means 52 may be formed at regions of the both sides of the welded portion 14 that are adjacent to the communicating section 22 to which the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are joined.

Furthermore, the container 10 of this embodiment includes cooperating means for maintaining the container in a folded condition to thereby bring the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b to the adhering condition relative to each other. The cooperating means comprises a belt-like stopper 54 attached onto an outer surface of one of the container walls 12 a, 12 b, and nicks 56 formed in the both sides of the welded portion 14. More particularly, the belt-like stopper 54 is attached at both end portions thereof onto areas of the outer surface of the one 12 a of the container walls that are lower than the recessed portions 52 and adjacent to the discharged means 26, with an intermediate portion thereof being unjoined to the outer surface of the container wall 12 a. The nicks 56 are formed in the areas of the both sides of the welded portions 14 that are upper than the recessed portions 52 and adjacent to the openable section 20, and obliquely extend upwardly. This embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment except the above-mentioned construction of this embodiment.

In the container 10 of the ninth embodiment that is constructed as described above, the container 10 can be maintained in a folded condition by causing the container 10 to be folded at the folding-facilitating means 52 in such a manner that a part of the container which correspond to the communicating section 22 and openable section 20 is overlapped onto a part of the container 10 which correspond to the storage section 18, causing the overlapped part of the container 10 to be inserted into a space between the belt-like stopper 54 and the outer surface of the container wall 12 a, and causing the nicks 56 of the welded portion 14 to be engaged with an edge of the belt-like stopper 54.

In this embodiment, when the openable section 20 and communicating section 22 are folded relative to the storage section 18 at the recessed portions 52, the container walls 12 a, 12 b which are opposite each other are deformed in such a direction as to approach each other along an area thereof between the recessed portions 52, whereby the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are pressed against each other and positively adhere to each other and the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b isolate the great portion of the storage section 18 from the openable section 20, so that the contents can be prevented from attaching to the sealing portion 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b and can be prevented from flowing toward the openable section 20 and the opening 21.

Tenth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 15, another method for making an openable and re-closable container having the contents stored therein will be discussed hereinafter.

In this method, preparing of an empty container 10 a that is substantially similar to that of FIGS. 13 and 14 and has a pouring-opening 40 is initially performed. Thereafter, the openable section 20 and the communicating section 22 are folded over the storage section 18 at an angle of about 180 degrees relative to the storage section at the recessed portions 52 in such a manner that a surface of one of opposite wall portions including the first and second opposite wall regions come into contact with a surface of one of the third opposite wall regions, whereby the storage section 18 is closed at the side of the storage section 18 that is adjacent to the communicating section 22, the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are pressed against each other, and the opposite surfaces of the sealing portions 32 are brought to a protected condition.

Pouring of a concentrated liquid 34 into the storage section 18 is then carried out in a condition where the folded empty container 10 a is turned in such a manner that the pouring-opening 40 is located at the upper position. More particularly, the pouring of the concentrated liquid 34 into the storage section 18 is performed by causing the nozzle 44 a of the filler 44 to be inserted into the pouring-opening 40. At this time, the concentrated liquid stored within the storage section 18 does not contact the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b. The pouring-opening 40 is finally sealed after the pouring of the concentrated liquid is completed, whereby a finished container is produced.

Incidentally, maintaining of the container in the folded condition may be performed by inserting the opposite wall portions including the first and second opposite wall regions into a space between the belt-like stopper 54 and the surface of the storage section 18, and causing the nicks 56 to be engaged with an edge region of the belt-like stopper 54. However, the maintaining of the container in the folded condition may be performed utilizing any suitable damper means.

In this method, the storing of the concentrated liquid 34 into the storage section 18 is carried out in the state where the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are brought to the protected condition, so that the contents do not enter between the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b, and the adhesion between the sealing portions 32 hardly fall. Also, the contents hardly flow between the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b, and hardly flow toward the openable section 20. Furthermore, the contents hardly attach onto inner surfaces of the first opposite wall regions forming the openable section 20, and inner surfaces of the opposite seal sheets 28 a, 28 b. In addition, after the opening 21 is formed by tearing the areas of the first opposite wall regions forming the openable section 20, the person can sanitarily handle the container without touching the contents when the person is to cause the opening 21 to be widely broadened in order to facilitate storing of any additional substance into the storage section 18.

Incidentally, in the above-mentioned method, the openable section 20 and the communicating section 22 are folded over the storage section 18 at an angle of about 180 degrees relative to the storage section 18, whereby the storage section 18 is substantially isolated from the communicating section 22. However, it is unnecessary to always cause the openable section 20 and communicating section 21 to be folded over the storage section 18 at an angle of about 180 degrees relative to the storage section 18.

Eleventh Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 16, still another method for making an openable and re-closable container having the contents stored therein will be discussed hereinafter.

In this method, preparing of an empty container 10 a that is substantially similar to that according to the first embodiment and has a pouring-opening 40 is initially performed. Thereafter, storing of the contents into the storage section 18 is carried out utilizing any suitable receiving base means 80 that has a sloped surface 81. More particularly, prior to storing of the contents into the storage section 18, the container 10 a is carried on the sloped surface 81 of the receiving base means 80 with the pouring-opening 40 being located at an upper position, with a region of the storage section 18, which is slightly lower than a substantially middle portion of the storage section 18, being folded, and with the communicating section 22 being laid on the sloped surface 81. In the condition where the container 10 a is carried on the sloped surface 81 of the receiving base means 80 in such a manner as described above, the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are protected in such a manner that the concentrated liquid 34 does not strike directly against the end portions of the opposite seal sheets 28 a, 28 b which are adjacent to the storage section 18, when the concentrated liquid 34 is poured into the storage section 18 through the pouring-opening 40 from the nozzle 44 a of the filler 44.

In the condition where the container 10 a is carried on the sloped surface 81 of the receiving base means 80, the nozzle 44 a of the filler 44 is inserted into the pouring-opening 40, and the pouring of the concentrated liquid 34 into the storage section 18 is performed using the filler 44. After the storing of the concentrated liquid into the storage section 18 is completed, the pouring-opening 40 is sealed, whereby a finished container is produced.

In this method, the pouring of the concentrated liquid into the storage section 18 is carried out in the condition where the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b are isolated from the concentrated liquid to be stored within the storage section 18 by causing the container to be folded, and protected, so that there is no possibility that the sealing portions 32 of the opposite seal sheets 28 a, 28 b will be peeled or separated from each other due to any shock which is applied to at the time when the concentrated liquid 34 supplied from the nozzle 44 a of the filler 44 drops within the container. Therefore, the contents hardly attach to between the sealing portions 32 of the opposite seal sheets 28 a, 28 b and the adhesion between the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b hardly falls. Also, at the time of pouring of the contents into the storage section 18, the contents hardly flow between the sealing portions 32 of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b and toward the openable section 20, and hardly attach to the inner surfaces of the seal sheets 28 a, 28 b and the surfaces of the first opposite wall regions forming the openable section 20. Therefore, when the opening 21 is to be formed by tearing the predetermined areas of the first opposite wall regions forming the openable section 20, the person can sanitarily handle the container without touching the contents.

The term and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described, or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. 

1. An openable and re-closable container comprising: an internal space formed by a container wall; said internal space having a storage section, an openable section, and a communicating section communicating with said openable section and said storage section; said openable section being adapted to form an opening by tearing said container wall of said container wall; said communicating section being formed into a substantially flat-shape; and re-closing means provided in said communicating section for facilitating openable sealing of said communicating section to close a side of said storing section that is adjacent to said opening; said re-closing means comprising opposite seal sheets disposed between opposite wall regions of said container wall which positionally correspond to said communicating section; said opposite seal sheets comprising: joined portions joined onto an inner surface of one of said opposite wall regions and an inner surface of the other of said opposite wall regions, respectively, along the entire width of said communicating section; and sealing portions extending from said joined portions toward said storage section in unjoined conditions relative to said opposite wall regions; at least parts of said sealing portions being opposite each other so as to be adherable to each other and separable from each other substantially along the entire width of said communicating section.
 2. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 1, wherein said opposite seal sheets are adapted to adhere to each other by causing said opposite seal sheets to be pressed against each other in a thickness direction.
 3. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 1, wherein said sealing portions of said opposite seal sheets have adhesion.
 4. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 3, wherein at least opposite surfaces of said sealing portions of said seal sheets are formed of a mixture of thermoplastic resins and adhesion-adding resins.
 5. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 4, wherein said thermoplastic resins comprise polypropylene and said adhesion-adding resins comprise stereoregular and block copolymer of polypropylene.
 6. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 3, wherein said seal sheets comprise adhesive layers forming opposite surfaces thereof, and non-adhesive layers adjacent to said container wall.
 7. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 6, wherein resin forming said adhesive layers have a melting point of at least 100° C. or higher.
 8. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 6, wherein resin forming said non-adhesive layers have a melting-point of at least 100° C. or higher.
 9. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 1, wherein said container further includes a hanging means provided at a side of said openable section which is adjacent to said storage section, and a discharged means provided at a part of said container wall which is located at a lowermost position when said container is hung through said hanging means.
 10. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 9, wherein said hanging means is provided at a part of said container wall which is adjacent to one of both sides of said openable section, and said discharged means is provided at a part of said container wall which is diagonal to said hanging means.
 11. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 1, wherein said opening has the substantially same width as that of the opening side of said communicating section.
 12. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 1, wherein said opening has a width wider than that of the opening side of the communicating section.
 13. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 1, wherein said opposite seal sheets are joined at both side edges thereof to both side edges of said opposite wall regions forming said communicating section.
 14. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 1, wherein said opposite seal sheets are at least partially joined to each other at ends thereof which are adjacent to said storage section.
 15. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said opposite wall regions of said container wall is provided with a visual indicator means for indicating said sealing portions of said seal sheets to be pressed against each other, said visual indicator means being provided at an area of the at least one of said opposite wall regions that positionally corresponds to said seal sheets.
 16. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said opposite seal sheets is provided with a visual indicator means for indicating said sealing positions of said seal sheets to be pressed against each other, said visual indicator means being capable of being visually perceived through said opposite wall regions from the outside of said container wall.
 17. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 1, wherein said container further includes a chuck means for chucking said container wall from both sides thereof to cause said sealing portions of said seal sheets to be pressed against each other, said chuck means being provided on said opposite wall regions forming said communicating section and/or area of opposite wall regions forming said storage section, which are adjacent to said communicating section.
 18. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 1, wherein said container further includes means for facilitating folding of said container, said means for facilitating folding of said container being provided at said communicating section and/or a side of said storage section which is adjacent to said communicating section.
 19. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 18, wherein said container further includes a stopper means for stopping one part of a folded container with respect to the other of said folded container, said folded container being folded through said means for facilitating folding of said container.
 20. An openable and closable container according to claim 1, wherein said container has first contents preliminarily stored within said storage section thereof, said container being adapted to be used by tearing said area of said container wall to form said opening, putting second contents into said storage section through said formed opening and mixing said second contents with said first contents.
 21. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 20, wherein said first contents comprise a concentrated substance, and said second contents comprise a dilute liquid for diluting said concentrated substance.
 22. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 21, wherein said concentrated substance comprises an enteral nutrient or an inspissated liquid diet.
 23. An openable and re-closable container according to claim 20, wherein said container is designed in such a manner that an upper surface of a mixture comprising said first and second contents is located at a position lower than said seal sheets in a condition where said opening and said communicating section are located at an upper position.
 24. An openable and re-closable container comprising: a container wall having an internal space and shut at a periphery thereof; said internal space having a storage section, an openable section, and a communicating section communicating with said openable section and said storage section; said openable section being adapted to form an opening by tearing said container wall; said communicating section being formed into a substantially flat-shape; and re-closing means provided in said communicating section for facilitating openable sealing of said communicating section to close a side of said storage section that is adjacent to said opening; said re-closing means comprising opposite adhesive seal sheets that are disposed between opposite wall regions of said container wall that positionally correspond to said communicating section, and joined to said opposite wall regions of said container wall, respectively.
 25. A method for making the openable and re-closable container of claim 1, said container having contents stored within said storage section, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing said container having a pouring-opening formed in a part of a periphery of said container wall that is adjacent to said storage section; (b) causing opposite surfaces of said sealing portions of said opposite seal sheets to be brought to a protected condition where said opposite surfaces of said sealing portions do not contact the contents which are to be stored within said storage section; (c) thereafter putting the contents into said storage section through said pouring-opening; and (d) sealing said second opening.
 26. A method for making the openable and re-closable container, according to claim 25, wherein the step (b) comprises the step of pressing a part of said container wall which positionally corresponds to said communicating section and/or a part of said container wall which positionally corresponds to said storage section, from both sides of said container wall by damper means, to thereby cause said sealing portions to be brought to the protected condition.
 27. A method for making the openable and re-closable container, according to claim 25, wherein the step (b) comprises the step of causing said container wall to be folded at a part of said container wall which positionally corresponds to said communicating section and/or a part of said container wall which positionally corresponds to said storage section, to thereby cause said sealing portions to be brought to the protected condition.
 28. A method for making the openable and re-closable container, according to claim 25, further including the step of turning said container in such a manner that said seal sheets are located at an upper position and said storage section is located at a lower position, after the closing of said pouring-opening, and thereafter causing opposite surfaces of said sealing portions to be released from the protected condition. 